Spray attachment for contra angle dental handpieces



Jan. 8, 1957 w BROWN 2,776,488

SPRAY ATTACHMENT FOR CONTRA ANGLE DENTAL HANDPIECES Filed March 7, 1955 INVENTOR. Fig. 5 Ray W. Brown ATTORNEY United States Patent M SPRAY ATTACHIVIENT FOR CONTRA ANGLE DENTAL HANDPIECES Ray W. Brown, Denver, Colo., assignor to Densco, Incorporated, Denver, Colo., a corporation of Colorado Application March 7, 1955,'Serial No. 492,561 8 Claims. (Cl. 32-28) This invention relates "to dental handpiece tools of a general type extensively in use, and more particularly to the so-called contra angle handpiece tool characterized by a tubular barrel member provided with an angu- I vide a spray attachment susceptible of practical.opera-' tive association with a contra angle dental handpiece for the delivery of air, water, or any appropriate fluid or mixture of fluids to and with cooling, lubricating, and

flushing effect upon the area being worked by the cutting element.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spray attachment for contra angle dental handpieces that is adapted for expedient operative association with conventional such handpieces without material alteration or reworking of the latter.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spray attachment for contra angle dental handpieces manipulable with and in mounted relation on the associated handpiece without appreciable alteration of the procedures and techniques pertinent to established and customary use of the latter.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spray attachment for contra angle dental handpieces which accommodates disassembly of the handpiece organization wherewith it is associated to facilitate necessary servicing of elements included therein.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spray attachment for contra angle dental handpiec'es that is readily connectible in mounted relation on an associated handpiece with and for delivery to the cutting element of the handpiece from any available source or supply of fluid under pressure. t

A further object of the invention is to provide a spray attachment for contra angle dental handpieces that is alternatively adjustable with respect to the hand position of a manipulator of the tool assembly to suit the preference of the user.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved construction and operative combination of elements constituting a spray attachment for contra angle dental handpieces.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spray attachment of the character described that is relatively simple and inexpensive of production, convenient of operative association with conventional handpieces of a 2,776,488 Patented Jan. 8, 1957 forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated by the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a typical contra angle dental handpiece with a preferred embodiment of the spray attachment of the invention mounted thereon in position for practical use, an-alternative position of an element of the invention beingindicated by broken lines.

Figure 2 is a side elevation, on a relatively enlarged scale, of the free-end portion of the handpiece shown in Figure 1 in a disassembled relation of elements occasionally required for servicing and lubrication of the tool.

Figure 3 is a cross section, on a further enlarged scale, taken substantially on the indicated line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a cross section, on the same scale as Figure 3, taken substantially on the indicated line 44 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view, on the same scale as Figure 2, of the free end portion of the handpiece as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary, detail section, on a relatively enlarged scale, taken substantially on the indicated line 66 of Figure 5.

The advent of high-speed equipment, modern techniques, and improved cutting elements in the field of dentistry has emphasized the importance of cooling, lubricating, and flushing the area being worked by power tools during and throughout the working thereof, and the instant invention is hence directed to the provision of practical means adapted for use with the typical contra angle dental handpiece extensively in service for the delivery of a suitable fluid spray to the area engaged by and during the operation of the cutting element carried by the handpiece.

Representative of contra angle dental handpieces, whereof the structural organization applicable to mounting and driving of an associated cutting element is immaterial for an understanding of the present invention, wherewith the improved spray attachment is designed to function, an exterior, generally-tubular sheath 10 characteristically constituting the grip and manipulating facilityof conventional such tools is shown as merging adjacent its free end with a tubular neck 11 whereof the axis intersects the axis of the sheath at a moderate angle. The end of the neck 11 remote from the sheath 10'rotatably mounts a clamp nut 12 engageable with threads 13 exteriorly about and adjacent one end of a tubular member 14 thereby conditioned to be detachably clamped to and as a coaxial extension from said end to the neck, and a head 15 on the end of the member 14 remote from the threads 13 is arranged to interchangeably mount a dental cutting element 16 for rotation about the axis of its stem 17 in a disposition radial of the member 14. The end of the sheath 10 remote from the neck 11 is adapted for detachable connection with the power-transmitting features of a dental engine, whereby to drive the element 16 through the usual facilities within the handpiece typified by the bevel gear 18, as is customary in the pertinent art. All of the foregoing is conventional and merely representative of the environment giving occasion for the instant invention and the typical tool constructions wherewith the invention is adapted to function.

Givingetlect to the principles of the invention, an annular band 19 is fixed to and surrounds the member 14 between the threads 13 and the head 15 inwardly adjacent the latter and one end of a length 20 of rigid flow line is secured to the side of said band most nearly adjacent the cutting element 16 and in the plane determined by the axes of said cutting element and the member 14 to dispose said length 20 longitudinally of the member 14 and in extension from its attachment to the band 19 in a direction away from the head 15. The length 20 is offset away from the member 14 to clear the clamp nut 12 when the member 14 is thereby coupled to the neck 11, and said length terminates in an open end remote from the band 19 which projects well beyond said clamp nut in a direction away from the head 15 when the member 14 is assembled on the neck H in the usual operating organization of the handpicce as shown in Figure 1. A second annular band 21 fixed to and surrounding the neck 11 adjacent the clamp nut 12 is formed with a radial enlargement 21' outstanding therefrom to spacedly parallel the cutting element stem 17 of the assembled tool, and said enlargement 21' is apertured to slidably accommodate the free end portion of the length during coupling of the member 14 to the neck 11 and to support said length with its free end projecting as a nipple through and outwardly beyond the enlargement when the tool is assembled in condition for use. The end of the length 20 attached to the band 19 is closed save for a jet aperture 22 interrupting the end closure zone most directly opposed to the cutting element 16 in a disposition eflective to direct outflow of fluid under pressure from within the length 20 to the area being worked by said element, and fluid under pressure is supplied to said length for ejection through the aperture 22 by means of a flexible tube 23 connected in any expedient usual manner and through appropriate regulating and control valves between the nipple end of the length 20 and any available source or supply of fluid, such as water, air, or a mixture thereof, under pressure. It is entirely feasible to connect the tube 23 to the nipple end of the length 20 free from any other attachment of the tube to the handpiece, in which case the tube may diverge from the sheath 10 as indicated by broken lines in Figure 1 to pass beneath and in clearing relation with the hand of an operator manipulating the tool.

An alternative disposition of the tube 23 relative to the sheath 10 within the contemplation of the inven-- tion is shown by full lines in Figure 1 as comprising a band 24 formed with a radial enlargement 24' adapted to slidably embrace the end portion of the sheath remote from the neck 11 and a rigid flow line elbow 25 fixed by means of one of its arms through an aperture in the enlargement 24 to provide a nipple opposed to the nipple end of the length 20 and to dispose the other arm of the elbow radially of the sheath, in which arrangement the tube 23 connects in an appropriate length closely adjacent and substantially parallel to the sheath between the opposed nipple ends of the length 20 and elbow 25 to function in an obvious manner for transmission of fluid under pressure to said length 20 when the radial arm of the elbow 25 is flow-connected, as by means of a flexible tube 23', with a source or supply of the fluid. Utilizing the band 24, elbow 25, and tube 23' in the arrangement shown and described, the tube 23 may come within the grip of the hand manipulating the handpiece and the line 23 serving the attachment is back of the hand position in an association preferred by some operators, it being immaterial to the proper functioning of the attachment which arrangement of feed to the length 20 is employed.

Obviously, the attachment is supplied with the band i) and fixedly-associated length 20 positioned on and secured to the member 14 and the band 21 secured in place on the neck'li, substantially as shown in Figure 2, so that assembly and disassembly of the member 14 relative to the neck 11 through the agency of the clamp nut 12 may be freely accommodated by virtue of the slidable association of the length 20 with and through the aperture of the enlargement 21' and the detachable and replaceable connection of the tube 23 to the nipple end of said length. Mounted and connected for use as above set forth, flow of fluid to and for ejection through the aperture 22 under the control of the customary valves included in the flow system may be directed and applied to the area being worked by the cutting element 16 to minimize overheating of the area, to cool and lubricate the cutting agencies, and to flush the area clear of chips and cuttings, all with convenience, practicality, and manifest advantage.

Since changes, variations, and modifications in the form, construction, and arrangement of the elements shown and described may be had without departing from the spirit of my invention, I wish to be understood as being limited solely by the scope of the appended claims, rather than by any details of the illustrative showing and foregoing description.

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination with a contra angle dental handpiece having a tubular sheath merging at one end into an angularly-related tubular neck carrying a clamp nut, a tubular member detachably clamped by means of said nut to and as a coaxial extension from the end of said neck, and a head at the free end of said member adapted to interchangeably mount dental cutting elements for rotation about an axis radial of said member, of a short length of rigid flow line closed at one end fixed at its closed end to said member inwardly adjacent said head within the angle between the axis of the member and the axis of a cutting element carried by the head to extend exteriorly adjacent and longitudinally along the neck and member assembly in a direction away from said head, means fixed to and projecting radially from said neck adjacent the clamp nut in slidable supporting engagement with said length, a jet aperture through the closed end of said length disposed for the direction of fluid outflow therethrough to the working end of a cutting element carried by said head, and a flexible tube for the transmission of fluids under pressure detachably engaged with the end of said length remote from said head.

2. The combination with a contra angle dental handpiece having a tubular sheath merging at one end into an angularly-related tubular neck carrying a clamp nut, a tubular member detachably clamped by means of said nut to and as a coaxial extension from the end of said neck, and a head at the free end of said member adapted to interchangeably mount dental cutting elements for rotation about an axis radial of said member, of a short length of rigid flow line closed at one end fixed at its closed end to said member inwardly adjacent said head within the angle between the axis of the member and the axis of a cutting element carried by the head to extend exteriorly adjacent and longitudinally along the neck and member assembly in a direction away from said head, means fixed to and projecting radially from said neck adjacent the clamp nut in slidable supporting engagement with said length, a jet aperture through the closed end of said length disposed for the direction of fluid outflow therethrough to the working end of a cutting element carried by said head, a rigid flow line elbow detachably mounted on said sheath inwardly adjacent the end thereof remote from said neck with one of its arms parallel to the sheath axis and opposed at its open end to the free end of said length, a flexible tube for the transmission of fluids under pressure detachably connecting between the free end of said length and the opposed arm end of said elbow, and a second such flexible tube connecting the other arm of said elbow with a source of fluid under pressure.

3. The combination with a contra angle dental handpiece having a tubular sheath merging at one end into an angularly-related tubular neck carrying a clamp nut, a tubular member detachably clamped by means of said nut to and as a coaxial extension from the end of said neck, and a head at the free end of said member adapted to interchangeably mount dental cutting elements for rotation about an axis radial of said member, of an annular band fixedly surrounding said member inwardly adjacent said head, a short length of rigid flow line closed at one end fixed at its closed end to said band within the angle between the axis of the member and the axis of a cutting element carried by the head to extend exteriorly adjacent and longitudinally-along the neck and.

member assembly in a directionaway from said head, a second annular band fixedly surrounding said neck adjacent said clamp nut, an apertured, radial enlargement on said second band slidably enacting with and to support said length in extension as a nipple therebeyond, a jet aperture through the closed end of said length disposed for the direction of fluid outflow therethrough to the working end of a cutting element carried by said head, and a flexible tube for the transmission of fluids under pressure detachably engaged with the nipple end of said length. i

4. The combination with a contra angle dental handpiece having a tubular sheath merging at one end into an angularly-related tubular neck carrying a clamp nut, a tubular member detachably clamped by means of said nut to and as a coaxial extension from the end of said neck, and a head at the free end of said member adapted to interchangeably mount dental cutting elements for retation about an axis radial of said member, of an annular band fixedly surrounding said member inwardly adjacent said head, a short length of rigid flow line closed at one end fixed at its closed end to said band within the angle between the axis of the member and the axis of a cutting element carried by the head to extend exteriorly adjacent and longitudinally along the neck and member assembly in a direction away from said head, a second annular band fixedly surrounding said neck adjacent said clamp nut, an apertured, radial enlargement on said second band slidably coacting with and to support said length in extension as a nipple therebeyond, a jet aperture through the closed end of the length disposed for the direction of fluid outflow therethrough to the working end of a cutting element carried by said head, a third annular band telescopically engaged with said sheath inwardly adjacent the end thereof remote from said neck, a rigid flow line elbow fixed exteriorly to said band with one of its arms parallel to the sheath axis and terminating in a nipple extension opposed to the nipple end of said length and its other arm radial of the sheath, a flexible tube for the transmission of fluids under pressure detachably connecting between the opposed nipple ends of said length and elbow, and a second such flexible tube connecting the radial arm of the elbow with a source of fluid under pressure.

5. In combination, a contra angle dental handpiece having a tubular sheath merging at one end'into an angularly-related tubular neck carrying a clamp nut, a tubular member detachably clamped by means of said nut to and as a coaxial extension from the end of said neck, and a head at the free end of said member adapted to interchangeably mount dental cutting elements for rotation about an axis radial of said member, an annular band fixedly surrounding said member inwardly adjacent said head, a short length of rigid flow line closed at one end fixed at its closed end to said band within the angle between the axis of the member and the axis of a cutting element, carried by the head to extend exteriorly adjacent and longitudinally along the neck and member assembly in a direction away from said head, said length being offset radially from the member into clearing rela tion with the clamp nut, a second annular band fixedly surrounding said neck adjacent said clamp nut, an apertured radial enlargement on said second band slidably coacting with and to support said length in extension as a nipple therebeyond, a jet aperturesthrough the closed end of the length disposed for the direction of fluid outflow therethrough to the Working end of a cutting element carried by said head, and a flexible tube for the transmission of fluids under pressure detachably engaged with the nipple end of said length.

6. In combination, a contra angle dental handpiece having a tubular sheath merging at one end into an angularly-related tubular neck carrying a clamp nut, a tubular member detachably clamped by means of said nut 16 to and as a coaxial extension from the end of said neck, and a head atthe free end of said member adapted to interchangeably mount dental cutting elements for rotation about an axis radial of said member, an annular band fixedly surrounding said member inwardly adjacent said head, a short length of rigid flow line closed at one end fixed at its closed end to said band within the angle between the axis of the member and the axis of a cutting element carried by the head to extend exteriorly adjacent and longitudinally alongthe'neck and member assembly in a direction away from said head and in clearing relation with said clamp nut, a second annular band fixedly surrounding said neck adjacent said head, an apertured radial enlargement on said second band slidably coacting with and to support said length in extension as a nipple therebeyond, a jet aperture through the closed end of said length disposed for the direction of fluid outflow therethrough to the working end of a cutting element carried by said head, a third annular band telescopically engaged with said sheath inwardly adjacent the end thereof remote from said neck, an apertured radial enlargement on said third band, a rigid flow line elbow fixed through said enlargement with one of its arms parallel to the band axis and its other arm radial of the band, the open end of the elbow arm parallel to the band axis being extended as a nipple opposed to the nipple end of said length, a flexible tube for the transmission of fluids under pressure detachably connecting between the opposed nipple ends of said length and elbow, and a second such flexible tube detachably connecting the radial arm of said elbow with a source of fluid under pressure.

7. A spray attachment for contra angle dental handpieces having a tubular sheath merging at one end into an angularly-related tubular neck carrying a clamp nut, a tubular member detachably clamped by means of said nut to and as a coaxial extension from the end of said neck, and a head at the free end of said member adapted to interchangeably mount dental cutting elements for rotation about an axis radial of said member, comprising a short length of rigid flowline closed at one end which is secured to an annular band adapted to fixedly surround the said member inwardly adjacent said head within the angle between the member axis and the axis of a cutting element carried by the head and to extend exteriorly adjacent, longitudinally along, and beyond the end of the member away from said head, an apertured enlargement formed on a second annular band adapted to fixedly surround and to outstand radially from said neck adjacent said clamp nut for the slidable support of said length in extension as a nipple therebeyond, a jet aperture through the closed end of said length disposed for the direction of fluid outflow therethrough and a flexible tube for the transmission of fluids under pressure detachably engageable with the nipple end of said length.

8. A spray attachment for contra angle dental handpieces having a tubular sheath merging at one end into an angularly-related tubular neck carying a clamp nut, a tubular member detachably clamped by means of said nut to and as a coaxial extension from the end of said neck, and a head at the free end of said member adapted to interchangeably mount dental cutting elements for rotation about an axis radial of said member, comprising a short length of rigid flow line closed at one end which issecured to an annular bandadapted to fixedly surround the said member inwardly adjacent said head within the angle between the member axis and the axis of a cutting element carried by the head and to extend exteriorly adjacent, longitudinally along, and beyond the end of the member away from said head, an apertured enlargement formed on a second annular band adapted to fixedly surround and to outstand radially from said neck adjacent said clamp nut for the slidable support of said length in extension as a nipple therebeyond, a jet aperture through the closed end of said length disposed for the direction of fluid outflow therethrough, a rigid flow line elbow fixed by means of one of its arms in and through an apertured radial enlargement of a third annular band telescopically engageable' about the sheath remote from the neck with one of the elbow arms parallel to the sheath axis in opposition of its open end to the nipple end of the length and its other arm radial of the sheath, a flexible tube for the transmission of fluids under pressure detachably connectible between the nipple end of said length and the opposed arm end of the elbow, and a second such flexible tube 10 connectible between the radial arm of the elbow and a source of fluid under pressure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

